Ladies of long hair, where would we be without the bobby pin? The small, yet incredibly helpful hair tool that keeps our tresses in place. They conceal, they pull in and tuck together, they harness even the thickest of hot mess hair days. And they do it all without so much as a complaint. Sure sometimes they stretch out or twist, but that’s nothing that can’t be fixed with some pliers. (By a man in our lives, obviously. Because we’re women.) Which lets us hold onto this amazing invention even longer.

In History

Around the turn of the century, ladies decided, “To hell with this heat” and started chopping off their buns … hair buns, that is. Then they began wearing it short and sometimes pinned, in what has become known as the bob. Traditional hairpins had made this new style cumbersome, and therefore a more efficient version was invented. One that squeezed hairs into place, not just stuck them there via mass. And their father was named Bobby, Robert Pinot, to be exact. Even though it’s known as a bobbing pin in style and was designed for the bob cut in use (no relation), the pin itself was created by a man named Bobby. A trifecta of fated namesakes, obviously.

Anyway, the pin grew in popularity quickly. Being coined “Bobby’s pin” and selling for $.35 a pair. An absolute robbery in today’s terms; cheap models are $.01 each. However, with the widespread growth, the pins soon became more affordable and came in different varieties. Including sizes and colors so as to blend in with the wearer’s hair.

Personal Experience

As the owner of one massive mane, I’d like to write a solid testimonial for the bobby pin. Without you, or rather, without hundreds of you, I wouldn’t be where I am today. My hair would be down, in my face, and untidy most of the time. Instead, I have these handy securing devices to shove hair where it needs to go, and arrange pieces as needed. In bulk.

At any given time I have anywhere from 1 to 30 pins in my head. I say at least one because I almost find a straggler that’s left behind. Sometimes not until washing, which obviously only takes place two times per week. (Hair is work, guys. If you don’t accept that hygiene frequency, it’s because you’ve never had a mound of hair.)

Hairpins are also found at random throughout the house. On my walk path, in my car, and really everywhere I go. Approximately once per week I’ll see something small drop from the corner of my eye and know I’ve lost a beloved pin. Sometimes it’s easily spotted from the ground below, other times, they’re dropped for good. Then, in the saddest of scenarios, I never feel them leave at all, but suffer from hair that becomes increasingly loose.

Having a big-ass stack of hair is a rough job, but as of now, I’m to keep doing it. Sure it means budgetary allotments, like purchasing conditioner by the gallon and ensuring at least four hair securing devices are within reach at all times. (It’s true you never know when you’ll need a spare.) But the alternative also means giving up one of my very best friends, bobby pins, which is a far more terrible scenario.

In conclusion, I’d like to express a sincere thank you to this ingenious invention. Without you, myself and women everywhere, would be a hot mess. You’ve provided us with so many great hair days – our thankfulness is eternal.